The 6 Best Puppy Teething Toys Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023
Written By Olivia De Santos | Canine Coach, Professional Writer & Video Content Creator.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | Double B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 14th November 2023
Is your puppy 3-6 months old and destroying your house? There’s a good chance they could be teething!
Today we’re going into depth about puppy teething. What is it? How can you soothe your puppy’s teething? And how can you find the best puppy teething toys for your pup?
To provide you with all the information you need to help your puppy (and your furniture!) through this difficult time, we joined forces with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and puppy parents to form our own independent team of experts. We then researched the most popular puppy teething toys, testing them out with our own fur buddies. After weeks and weeks of testing and several dozen toys later, we were finally able to agree on the contents of this guide.
Read on to learn more!
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
KONG Toy
- Durable
- Well reviewed
- Reasonably priced
Runner Up -
Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone Toy with Chiller Cloth
- Well reviewed
- Can be frozen for extra relief
- Durable
Third Choice -
Nylabone Chicken Puppy Bone Chew Toy
- Chicken flavoured
- Inexpensive
- Textured
Australia's Best Puppy Teething Toys Reviewed
Now that’s a lot of information on teething and teething toys! Let’s get into our recommendations for the best options on the Aussie market today. These are the toys our team of independent experts loved giving to their puppies since they helped soothe their teething pain without falling to pieces.
#1: Best Overall: KONG Toy
What sets this product apart from the rest?
KONG toys are legendary. They have every right to be. It’s like a rite of passage for every dog to have at least one KONG toy in their lives.
If you choose only one KONG toy, let it be the puppy one. It’s perfect for teething puppies.
The Kong Toy being tested by our independent expert team.
With its signature shape, your puppy will have endless fun chewing this toy. I also like to add a little bribery with a well-placed treat or kibble inside of the crater to delight my pupper even more. If you're short on time, you can also consider giving your pup our number three choice ahead which comes pre-flavoured!
The soft rubber material is durable but still soothing to aching gums. This toy was specifically designed for a puppy’s baby teeth and the many positive reviews from our panel of independent experts attest to its effectiveness as a boredom buster.
If I were to choose just one teething toy to rule them all, it would be the KONG toy!
Pros | Cons |
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#2: Runner-up: Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone Toy with Chiller Cloth
If KONG is the chew-toy legend of the pet industry, Nylabone is the unsung hero. Nylabone has a wide range of toys that work well for dogs at all stages of life, but especially puppyhood. The teething puppy line has plenty to choose from so you can’t go wrong.
The Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone Toy with Chiller Cloth being tested by our independent expert team.
The Nylabone Freezer Bone Toy is perfect for pups who are finding teething particularly painful. It’s made up of a plastic bone and soft cloth. To use it, I soaked the toy in water and put it in the freezer to cool. That way, when I gave my puppy the toy to chew, he got some extra relief on his sore gums.
This toy has thousands of good reviews, including those from our team of independent experts, because it’s so effective, durable and reasonably priced.
Pros | Cons |
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#3: Budget-friendly option: Nylabone Chicken Puppy Bone Chew Toy
Sometimes it’s the simple things that are most effective! This textured bone chew from Nylabone is surely going to be a hit with your puppy.
Unlike our second choice by Nylabone, this one has chicken flavour infused into the material, so your dog will get a tasty treat as they munch. This makes it a bit easier to dole out, versus the KONG in spot number one that you have to add treats to.
The Nylabone Chicken Puppy Bone Chew Toy being tested by our independent expert team.
The texture of the plastic bone makes the toy satisfying to chew for teething puppies. The bubbly texture also massages your puppy’s gums as they chew.
Best of all, this toy is cheap and cheerful!
It’s important to note that this toy is only recommended for puppies up to 6 kg, so it didn't suit larger breed dogs owned by our team of independent experts.
Pros | Cons |
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#4: Best soft toy for teething puppies: All For Paws (AFP) Lambswool Plush Bone Toy For Dogs
If you want a cute soft toy for your puppy, the All For Paws Lambswool Plush toy is a wonderful choice.
It’s made from faux lambswool and faux suede but it feels real. Regardless, my puppy enjoyed chewing the soft, comforting material. To wash it, I simply tossed it on a gentle cycle in the washing machine.
Even though the toy is inexpensive, it’s surprisingly durable. Your little Fido can chew to their heart’s content.
However, similar to our number three choice by Nylabone, we don’t recommend this toy for large puppies. It’s best for small-medium breeds.
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#5: Best teething ring for puppies: KONG Puppy Tires
Teething rings are great for puppies. Our favourite comes from the KONG line. Their puppy tires are the perfect balance of softness and durability for your puppy to enjoy.
Unlike our number one pick by KONG, this ring has a textured surface for extra massaging around the gums.
The KONG Puppy Tires being tested by our independent expert team.
We love that there are two sizes available, Small and Medium-Large. Therefore, puppies of all sizes can have one.
As with most KONG toys, the Puppy Tires have an interior space where you can stuff treats or spreads, to make the toy extra tempting.
Well-reviewed by our team of independent experts and reasonably priced, this is the perfect teething ring for your pup.
Pros | Cons |
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#6: Best teething toy for large puppies: SCHITEC Mushroom Dog Chew Toy
You’ll notice that a common con of the toys above is that they’re just too small, like our third choice! So here is a great recommendation for larger pups.
This mushroom chew toy is made of pliable rubber with plenty of ridges and textures that your puppy will enjoy, like the teething ring in spot number five. The ridges also clean your puppy’s teeth as they chew.
The SCHITEC Mushroom Dog Chew Toy being tested by our independent expert team.
It’s a treat dispensing toy, similar to the KONG toy, that has spaces to stuff treats or spreads. The rubber adds to the fun as the toy can bounce around, also like our number one choice by KONG. Hours of entertainment for your puppy.
If you want a reasonably priced larger toy for larger puppies, this is a perfect choice.
Pros | Cons |
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What Is Puppy Teething?
It might shock you but your puppy is not intentionally destroying your furniture for the fun of it.
The fun part is a happy coincidence! When puppies go through their teething phases, they are in search of any kind of relief and your slippers just happen to be the perfect candidates.
But let’s backtrack. What is teething?
Teething refers to two phases in your puppy’s life. The first is when they grow their first set of teeth. This happens from 3 to 6 weeks (although some puppies grow teeth as early as 2 weeks old). (1) This first set of teeth is known as deciduous teeth. (2)
The second teething phase is when your puppy loses their baby teeth and grows into their adult teeth.
What do these two phases have in common?
The pain! Much like when children grow their sets of teeth, the teething phase causes bleeding and discomfort to your puppy. They take to chewing clothes and soft fabrics to find refuge for their aching gums.
Unfortunately, though you hope that your puppy’s salve of choice is that ugly sweater your Aunty bought you, it sadly never is.
This is where puppy teething toys come in.
Related: How To Stop My Puppy From Biting.
Teething Toys vs Chew Toys
As you probably know already, puppy teething toys are toys made to soothe a puppy’s aching gums. So are teething toys different to chew toys?
Related: The Best Puppy Toys Australia.
It makes more sense to consider teething toys as a type of chew toy as opposed to separate from them.
Teething toys tend to be softer and smaller than adult dog chew toys. In theory, a puppy could teethe on a regular chew toy but there are certain drawbacks in texture and function that make them more difficult to sink their teeth into.
How To Shop For Puppy Teething Toys
So you’re sick of your best onesies being chewed to shred by your naughty puppy. How can you find a teething toy that will distract your puppy away from prized possessions?
Here are the criteria our team of independent experts ask you to consider:
Durability
Whatever toy you choose for a puppy or any dog, must be indestructible. This toy is purposefully going to be used to soothe aching gums, so it must stand up to slobber and attacks of tiny teeth.
That doesn’t necessarily mean your dog’s teething toy needs to be made of industrial-grade rubber that even the strongest dogs in the world couldn’t penetrate. There are plenty of soft teething toys out there which we’ll get to.
Whether it is rubber or plastic or wool or nylon, make sure it has a good reputation for not falling apart on the first munch.
Top tip: All manufacturers will say their toy is indestructible so review the reviews for the truth!
Softness
What texture your pup prefers to chew will depend on your dog. Start by looking at the unfortunate inanimate objects that your puppy prefers to gnaw on.
If they like chewing the kitchen table legs then they might prefer a hard rubber or plastic toy to chew.
If they like clothes and blankets, they may like stuffed animals and cloth toys.
Puppies who like to chew shoes might like toys with a variety of textures to get their teeth into.
(Or maybe they just hate your taste in shoes).
Size
Not all 3-month-old puppies look the same. A Newfoundland 3-month-old can weigh 24 kg. (3)
Whereas a Dachshund of the same age only weighs a maximum of 6 kg. (4)
It’s fair to say that the chomping power of each will be wildly different. The size of a Newfoundland’s mouth would be different from a Dachshund too.
With these factors in mind, choose a toy that will suit your dog’s chewing power and size.
It’s worth noting that most puppy toys are built for small to medium puppies. So if you have a large puppy, seek out a toy for medium to large dogs that will be more satisfying to them.
Types of Teething Toys For Puppies
Let’s dive deeper. Within the category of teething toys, there are different types of products. Here’s a quick breakdown of the types of teething toys our panel of independent experts tested during our research phase.
Stuffed animal toys for puppies
Everyone loves a stuffed animal when they are young. Puppies are no different! Stuffed animals provide soft cushioning for aching gums. They also look extremely cute and are easy to clean - just through them in the washing machine.
The downside is that some puppies destroy stuffed animals easily, so always look for soft toys specific to dogs. They are likely to be stitched differently and made of hardier materials than soft toys for human babies.
Another potential drawback is if you have children, your puppy and children may have some competition over soft toys. It’s better to give your puppy a completely different type of toy to avoid any confusion or secret toy rivalry. (It happens!)
Soothing teething toys for puppies
To amplify the soothing effects of teething toys, some manufacturers have cooling functions for their toys. Often you can put the toy in the freezer for a cooling sensation. It’s perfect for puppies that are in pain.
Not all dogs love the freezing cold sensation so it depends on your puppy. Luckily, if your dog isn't into the cold, you can still use the toy as a regular teething toy. That said, cooling toys tend to be more expensive.
Textured teething toys for puppies
Many teething toys have various types of textures to add to the fun element of chewing. Some even claim to help clean your dog’s teeth by removing plaque as they chew.
Textured teething toys tend to be made of rubber or hard plastic. If your pup likes to chew on hard toys, textured toys can add to the experience. You can also add peanut butter or pate to the toy to give your dog an extra treat.
Teething Toys To Avoid
Not all chew toys are made equal. These are things we typically give to dogs to chew that make terrible teething toys for puppies!
Rope toys
Rope toys aren’t great for teething puppies for two main reasons:
They can break into threads which can be a choking hazard to your puppy
They encourage tug-of-war games which aren’t great for dogs that are still developing their teeth. Tug-of-war might be fun but it can be quite painful to teething puppies.
Bones
Bones in general are not a good idea for puppies. They can injure their teeth and mouth with the splinters from bones. Bones are best avoided but especially softened ones. Softened bones can splinter and get stuck in your dog’s throat. Yikes.
My Final Say
The best puppy teething toy for most puppies? Everyone on our team of independent experts agreed that it will be the KONG toy. It’s simple, entertaining and soothing to chew; everything you need when your puppy is teething.
For larger puppies, we think the SCHITEC mushroom chew toy is a great alternative. You can still use it as a treat dispensing toy like the KONG, but it’s larger and stronger for mightier chewers.
FAQ
There are two puppy teething stages. The first starts as early as 2 weeks old and ends around 6 weeks when their first set of teeth are in. The second is between 3 and 6 months when your puppy’s adult teeth grow in. Most of the time when we talk about the puppy teething stage, we’re referring to the latter period which is a maximum of 3 months.
It’s not uncommon for puppies to continue to destroy furniture, slippers, books and anything else they can get their hands on well after the teething stage. What gives? Well, dogs chew for a plethora of reasons. The primary factor is boredom. Chewing is fun so an understimulated dog will find ways to chew items to keep themselves entertained. This is why great chew toys serve dogs of all ages. Not just puppies in their teething stage.
Puppies don’t necessarily need teething toys. They will survive the teething process without them. However, if you don’t provide your pup with a toy to chew, your puppy may take to chewing your furniture instead! A puppy with sore gums will find a place to soothe those gums. It’s up to you where those gums land.
Outside of teething toys, what alternative things could you give your puppy to chew on? A common favourite for vets is frozen fruit and vegetables.
“Carrots offer dog owners an affordable and nutritious snack for their pets…Some vets even recommend cold or frozen carrots for teething puppies, as a way to relieve discomfort.” writes Randa Kriss for the American Kennel Club. (5)
Be mindful of the fruit or vegetable you choose as some can be toxic to dogs. Not all dogs like fruit either.
References:
- Meyers, H. January 1, 2022. “Puppy Teething and Nipping: A Survival Guide”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved February 8, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-teething-and-nipping/
- Williams, K. Lerner, R. “Teeth, Teething and Chewing in Puppies”. VCA Hospitals. Retrieved February 8, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/teeth-teething-and-chewing-in-puppies
- Lundve, L. July 27, 2022. “Newfoundland Size Chart: How Big Do Newfoundlands Get?”. Puppy Weight Calculator. Retrieved February 8, 2023. https://puppyweightcalculator.com/newfoundland-size-chart/
- Lundve, L. July 27, 2022. “Dachshund Size Guide: How Big Do Dachshunds Get?!”. Puppy Weight Calculator. Retrieved February 8, 2023. https://puppyweightcalculator.com/dachshund-size-guide/
- Kriss, R. August 25, 2022. “Can Dogs Eat Carrots?”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved February 8, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-carrots/
